Nelson Mandela University campus

Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy (Business Management) at Nelson Mandela University

Nelson Mandela University, South Africa

Programme overview

The qualification consists of written or other approved research work submitted in fulfillment of the requirements set for obtaining a doctoral degree. In addition to normal evaluation, full research students are to submit at least one publishable article together with the thesis.

Faculty: Business and Economic Sciences  |  Duration: 2 years  |  Study mode: part-time  |  Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The purpose of a doctoral degree such as the PhD is to develop and promote the research capacity of qualifying candidates at the most advanced academic level, culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a substantive research report – also known as the thesis. Candidates are required to make an original academic contribution to the field of study, and in addition, the thesis must be of a quality that satisfies peer review and merits publication. The published curriculum is an NQF Level 10 qualification of 360 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Business Administrator, Business Manager, Manager.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS A cognate master’s degree by research only, passed with at least 60% or an equivalent grade that reflects a relevant standard of knowledge in a particular field as well as research competence OR A cognate master’s degree by course work and research, with the treatise or mini-dissertation passed with at least 60% or an equivalent grade. In addition, a pass of at least 60% or an equivalent grade should have been attained for each of the course work modules. Candidates who have completed their master’s degree by course work and treatise or mini-dissertation may be required to do and pass an approved research methodology module, at the appropriate level, with at least a 60% or an equivalent grade, should such a module not have been included in their learning programme. Candidates who have not met all of the criteria as outlined above, may apply for provisional registration for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and will be required to register for and pass, with at least 60% or an equivalent grade, a module or modules as recommended by the HOD for approval by the RTI Committee of the relevant School within the Faculty

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

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